#1 ·
I was thinking about this today while watching some old footage of athletes who just disappeared from the spotlight. We are so incredibly obsessed with the idea of the "grand comeback" or reaching that one specific, massive milestone that defines a career.
It feels like we’ve collectively decided that if you don't hit a certain peak, the whole journey was a wash. I see it in hobbyists, I see it in local musicians, and I see it in professional sports. There's this constant pressure to achieve something legendary, even if you're already doing well.
Personally, I’ve started to feel like the pursuit of that "one big thing" actually ruins the enjoyment of the craft itself. I used to be so focused on hitting specific milestones in my own hobbies that I forgot why I even started them in the first place. Now, I try to just focus on the daily grind, but the urge to reach for something huge is still there, lurking in the background.
Do you think the drive to achieve something monumental is a necessary motivator, or is it just a recipe for burnout?
It feels like we’ve collectively decided that if you don't hit a certain peak, the whole journey was a wash. I see it in hobbyists, I see it in local musicians, and I see it in professional sports. There's this constant pressure to achieve something legendary, even if you're already doing well.
Personally, I’ve started to feel like the pursuit of that "one big thing" actually ruins the enjoyment of the craft itself. I used to be so focused on hitting specific milestones in my own hobbies that I forgot why I even started them in the first place. Now, I try to just focus on the daily grind, but the urge to reach for something huge is still there, lurking in the background.
Do you think the drive to achieve something monumental is a necessary motivator, or is it just a recipe for burnout?